The tranquil, forested district of Wayanad is a significant part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and a popular hill destination in the state. The region’s lush landscape with hills, valleys, lakes, exotic flora, and fauna, coupled with the pleasant climate, truly makes Wayanad an emerald paradise.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Coorg to Wayanad?
- Travelling from Coorg to Wayanad by car
- Best Time To Visit
- Popular Routes from Coorg to Wayanad
- How to Reach Wayanad By Train
- How to Reach Wayanad By Flight
- Attractions in Wayanad for Sightseeing
- Savaari Recommends – Popular Places to Eat in Wayanad
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Wayanad
Why travel from Coorg to Wayanad?
The name ‘Wayanad’ is derived from ‘Vayal Naadu‘ (Malayalam) which translates to the land of paddy fields in English. The tranquil forested hamlet is surrounded by the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on the east, the Ambukuthi Hills on the south, and flanked by the Vellarimala hills of Kozhikode and the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu, creating an abundance of natural beauty all around. You can easily travel from Coorg to Wayanad by road and experience this natural beauty gradually. With Savaari’s tour packages from Coorg to Wayanad, you can personalize your trip itinerary based on your time, budget, and travel interests. Let us help you discover the best trip plan to travel from Coorg to Wayanad by road.
Traveling from Coorg to Wayanad by car
From the lush hills and valleys of Coorg to the winding roads of Wayanad, the roads on this route are as gorgeous as they can get. In between the denser forested areas give way to stretches of paddy fields. The best way to enjoy this is to sit back and slip into the charm of the landscape, from one state to another. Along the way, you’ll pass through places like Gonikoppa, Kanoor, Kutta, Panamaram, etc., as well as the borders of Nagarhole National Park. With your customized Coorg to Wayanad itinerary, you can stop by any of these places for a short tour and go click-happy, or take a detour for jungle treks.
Best Time To Visit
Tucked in the hills of Western Ghats, Wayanad weather is enjoyable and conducive all through the year. However, the rainy season from July to September can be dangerous to travel around the steep terrain. Hence, the best time to visit is between October and April, when Wayanad temperature is very pleasant and you can explore the natural locales with ease. If you want to enjoy the crisp and chilly winters, visit between December and February.
Popular Routes from Coorg to Wayanad
Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Coorg to Wayanad via Madikeri – Bhagamandala Rd/Madikeri – Virajpet Rd
This is the shortest, fastest, and most popular route to travel from Coorg to Wayanad. It is also the major route, used by most interstate travelers/tourists. The traffic on this route is also minimal, and there are no road closures like other inner roads. There may be tolls on the way. Coorg to Wayanad distance on this route is somewhere around 84KM and takes about two hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Coorg to Wayanad road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Coorg to Wayanad-
| Madikeri > Murnad > Ammathi > Gonikoppa > Ponnampet > Kanoor > Kutta > Kattikulam > Wayanad |
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Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Perumbadi Lake View Point, Kannur-Mattanur-Coorg Road – Take a detour to this scenic lakeside surrounded by lush greenery and hills, good for picnics, photo ops, or tea breaks.
- Barapole River Scenic Spot, Shettigeri – A riverside picnic spot with scenic views of surrounding forests and meadows, good for hikes and day treks.
- Glenloren Tea Plantations Viewpoint, Shettigeri – Sweeping tea gardens surrounded by thick forests and hills, good for an overnight stay or day tours of plantations.
- Iruppu Falls, Brahmagiri – The second biggest waterfalls in the Coorg district, this site offers stunning views of the Bhahmagiri Hills, good for treks, hikes, picnics, or bathing in the natural cascade, best seen during monsoon.
- Thirunelly Temple, Thirunelly – An ancient Vishnu temple, this religious site is the highlight of the town, good for a short tour and photo ops.
Places to eat along this route:
- Madeena Family Restaurant, Murnad – Standard, highway-side family restaurant serving vegetarian and nonvegetarian fare in a casual setting, good for kids and big groups.
- The Spice Rack, Gonikoppa – A spacious local restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and continental menu in a traditional setting, good for families and big groups.
- Sapthagiri Restaurant, Kutta – Casual restaurant serving snacks, meals, and beverages, good for breakfast and lunch, kid-friendly.
- Holiday Hill Family Restaurant, Kattikulam – Fancy restaurant inside a resort, serving a wide variety of food and beverage options, good for big groups and families.
Coorg to Wayanad Condition via route 1:
This is the shortest and fastest route to travel from Coorg to Wayanad and is used by regular travelers. This route has standard highway tolls and the road conditions are great since there are no road closures as of July 2022.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Coorg to Wayanad via NH275
This is the alternative route to travel from Coorg to Wayanad. The traffic on this route is minimal, and there are no road closures like other inner roads. There may be tolls on the way. The distance between Coorg and Wayanad on this route is about 156 KM and takes half an hour more. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Coorg to Wayanad road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Coorg to Wayanad-
| Madikeri > Bylakuppe > Piriyapatna > Thithimathi > T.H Colony > Kutta > Kattikulam > Wayanad |
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Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Nisargadhama Deer Park, Kushalnagar – A natural reserve known for deer and migratory birds, good for birding tours, and day hikes, best seen in winters.
- Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe – One of the largest and oldest monasteries in India, this complex is the highlight of the Buddhist town.
- Mathigodu Elephant Camp – A local elephant camp offering rides, petting options, and more, good for day tours and playtime for kids.
- Barapole River Scenic Spot, Shettigeri – A riverside picnic spot with scenic views of surrounding forests and meadows, good for hikes and day treks.
- Glenloren Tea Plantations Viewpoint, Shettigeri – Sweeping tea gardens surrounded by thick forests and hills, good for an overnight stay or day tours of plantations.
- Iruppu Falls, Brahmagiri – The second biggest waterfalls in the Coorg district, this site offers stunning views of the Bhahmagiri Hills, good for treks, hikes, picnics, or bathing in the natural cascade, best seen during monsoon.
- Thirunelly Temple, Thirunelly – An ancient Vishnu temple, this religious site is the highlight of the town, good for a short tour and photo ops.
Places to eat along this route:
- Shanti Bites, Kushalnagar – Local eatery serving Indian, Chinese, and Tibetan dishes in a casual setting, good for lunch and dinner.
- The Tibet Kitchen, Family Restaurant and Café, Bylakuppe – Family restaurant serving traditional Tibetan and local dishes, good for groups, quick stops.
- Dining Coorg, Piriyapatna – Standard highway restaurant serving meals, snacks, and beverages.
- Sapthagiri Restaurant, Kutta – Casual restaurant serving snacks, meals, and beverages, good for breakfast and lunch, kid-friendly.
- Holiday Hill Family Restaurant, Kattikulam – Fancy restaurant inside a resort, serving a wide variety of food and beverage options, good for big groups and families.
Coorg to Wayanad Condition via route 2:
This route is also good to travel from Coorg to Wayanad and is used by most travelers. This route may have standard highway tolls and the road conditions on this stretch are quite good.
Coorg to Wayanad Best Route:
Both the above routes are good to travel from Coorg to Wayanad. But the second route seems more scenic with plenty of pit stops and food options. However, the first route seems faster with minimum traffic, maximum highway access, and better road quality. If you want to travel faster, then route 1 is a better choice but if you want a wholesome drive, then opt for route 2.
Other means of traveling from Coorg to Wayanad
By Train
There is no railway station in Wayanad. The nearest junction is in Nilambur, 90 KM away. The nearest major railhead is in Calicut, at 110KM. Hence, the best way to travel from Coorg to Wayanad is to book an outstation cab or rent a car and do a road trip.
By Flight
There are no flights between Bangalore and Wayanad. The nearest airport to Wayanad is Calicut International Airport, 93 KM away. So, the only way to travel from Coorg to Wayanad is by road.
Attractions in Wayanad for Sightseeing
With our trips and suggestions, you can be sure to have an incredible and memorable Wayand tour.
- Surrounded by the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on the east, the Ambukuthi Hills on the south, and flanked by the Vellarimala hills of Kozhikode and the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu, Wayanad boasts an abundance of greenery and is home to various wildlife. Don’t miss these attractions in Wayanad –
- Edakkal Caves – This naturally-formed ancient cave system dating back to the Stone Age. Surrounded by forests, sits in the Ambukuthi Hills, and contains petroglyphs and cave paintings excavated from that era.
- Soochipara Waterfalls – A perennial cascade nestled within rocky terrains and scenic surroundings. Offering options for treks, hikes, picnics, and other outdoor adventures.
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – A densely forested region, this natural sanctuary is home to rare and endangered animals like the Asiatic elephants, tigers, leopards, and egrets.
- Kuruvadweep – A protected river delta on the Kabini River, spreading across 950 acres of marshlands and backwaters, with options for boating and rafting.
- Banasura Sagar Dam – Set up in 1979, this dam on the Kabini River and its catchment area offers scenic views and options for treks and walks.
- Wayanad Heritage Museum – A local museum preserving archeological ruins and artifacts of the Neolithic era. It documents the history of the natives and their cultures.
- Phantom Rock – A natural metamorphic rock formation and a popular viewing point, offering stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys, with walks, treks, or photo opportunities.
- Chembra Peak – The highest point of Wayanad is situated in Kalpetta. It is surrounded by coffee plantations. This mountain peak is known for trekking trails and a heart-shaped lake at the foothills.
- Pakshipathalam Bird Sanctuary – A bird watcher’s and nature lover’s paradise. This sanctuary is known for housing a huge number of birds of various endemic and migratory species. You can also find a host of plant varieties and some ancient rock-cut caves here.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Wayanad
The cuisine of Wayanad is a blend of local Malabari flavors, colonial influence, and contemporary fusion. Check out these best-rated restaurants in Wayanad –
- 1980’s A Nostalgic Restaurant, Kalpetta
- Green Garden Food Inn, Chundale
- Spicy Club, Padinjarathara
- Wilton Hotel & Restaurant, Sultan Bathery
- WMO Qatar Bakery & Restaurant, NH 766 Muttil North
- Majestic Bakes and Bistro, Kalpetta Bypass Rd
Hotels and Resorts in Wayanad
| Place Name | Address | Phone Number |
| Jungle Beats Resort | Thanjilod, Via Soojipara Waterfalls, Meppadi P.O, Meppadi, Kerala 673577 | 090721 52415 |
| KTDC Pepper Grove | Poomala PO, Manichira, Sultan Bathery, Kerala 673592 | 04936 221 900 |
| Rustic Charm Wayanad – Barefoot Bungalow | Survey no 230/2A, Arnapara Thirunelly Road Appapara Post, Thirunelly, Village, Appapara, Kerala 670646 | 087478 80000 |
| Karlad Lake Resort | Near Karlad lake P.O Manjoora, Kerala 673575 | 096050 83379 |
| Karapuzha Village Resort | 2, Vazhavatta Post, Pakkam, Cheepramkunnu, Wayanad, Kerala 673122 | 095262 62299 |